The International Reconstructive Plastic Surgery (Ghana) Project is ten years old.

To mark the occasion, a reception was held at the Chancery of the Ghana High Commission for a cross section of medical luminaries associated with the project, community leaders and friends of the project who have in diverse ways given moral and financial support to the growth and development of the project.

Present at the ceremony were H.E. Professor Alex Kwapong, Chairman of the Council of State, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang (MP) and 10 Ghanaian envoys in Europe who were in London to attend a mid-year review meeting on the directions of Ghana’s Foreign policy and their stewardship.

Also in attendance were Professor Jack Mustarde, President and initiator of the project, Mr Martyn Webster and Professor Yeboah, Chairman/Director and Clinical Director respectively of the project, Professor Arthur Morris, trustee of the project.

In his welcome remarks, Mr Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Ghana’s Deputy High Commissioner, stated that the team, through their sacrifices, had brought smiles to faces that could no longer smile, made welcome people, who either through disease or accident became too ghastly to look at and brought unending joy to the people of Ghana. He hoped the nation could build on the achievements that the project had chalked over the past decade.

Speaking at the reception, the Hon Hackman Owusu-Agyemang conveyed the personal appreciation of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, Mr John Agyekum Kufour and people of Ghana to Professor Mustarde and his team for their “selfless devotion to the cause of humanity”.

Hon. Owusu-Agyemang said the greatest tribute Ghanaians could pay to the efforts of the founding fathers of the project was to take good care of the equipment to ensure the success and the growth of the centre.

He announced, amidst cheers, that a Professor Mustarde Chair of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery had been established at the College of Medical Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School in honour of the brain behind the project.

Professor Kwapong commended Professor Mustarde and his team for their initiative and foresight and added that the vision and humanitarian work undertaken by the pioneers would forever be cherished by the people of Ghana and the sub-region.

Professor E.D. Yeboah urged the present Director of the Project to maintain and strengthen its links with its founder and also promote new links with overseas institutions in pursuance of its noble objectives.

Professor Mustarde thanked all who in diverse ways had contributed to the establishment of the project and pledged his continuous commitment to the sustenance and growth of the project.

The International Reconstructive Plastic Surgery (Ghana) Project owes its existence to a visit undertaken in January 1992 by a team of surgeons and physicians led by Prof. Mustarde, who performed plastic surgery operations in the country under the auspices of the Rotary International.

Overwhelmed by the large number of patients who patronised the services of the visiting team and the absence of plastic surgeons in the country, the team decided to work towards the development of a project with the aim of eventually providing Ghana with its own units.

Thus in January 1993, a UK plastic surgeon, Dr Chris Bainbridge set up the plastic surgery unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

By July 1993, a succession of volunteer surgeons from various countries principally UK visited Ghana and built a working plastic unit. Subsequently, another unit was established at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Since its establishment, the centres have treated almost 30,000 patients in Ghana.

Issued by the Ghana High Commission London 04/12/02

Dear Sir,

Grateful arrange to publish the press release below tilted " International Reconstructive Plastic Surgery (Ghana) project marks 10th anniversary" on your network please.

Charles Wereko Ghana High Commission London.

PRESS RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL RECONSTRUCTIVE PLASTIC SURGERY (GHANA) PROJECT MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

The International Reconstructive Plastic Surgery (Ghana) Project is ten years old.

To mark the occasion, a reception was held at the Chancery of the Ghana High Commission for a cross section of medical luminaries associated with the project, community leaders and friends of the project who have in diverse ways given moral and financial support to the growth and development of the project.

Present at the ceremony were H.E. Professor Alex Kwapong, Chairman of the Council of State, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang (MP) and 10 Ghanaian envoys in Europe who were in London to attend a mid-year review meeting on the directions of Ghana’s Foreign policy and their stewardship.

Also in attendance were Professor Jack Mustarde, President and initiator of the project, Mr Martyn Webster and Professor Yeboah, Chairman/Director and Clinical Director respectively of the project, Professor Arthur Morris, trustee of the project.

In his welcome remarks, Mr Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Ghana’s Deputy High Commissioner, stated that the team, through their sacrifices, had brought smiles to faces that could no longer smile, made welcome people, who either through disease or accident became too ghastly to look at and brought unending joy to the people of Ghana. He hoped the nation could build on the achievements that the project had chalked over the past decade.

Speaking at the reception, the Hon Hackman Owusu-Agyemang conveyed the personal appreciation of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, Mr John Agyekum Kufour and people of Ghana to Professor Mustarde and his team for their “selfless devotion to the cause of humanity”.

Hon. Owusu-Agyemang said the greatest tribute Ghanaians could pay to the efforts of the founding fathers of the project was to take good care of the equipment to ensure the success and the growth of the centre.

He announced, amidst cheers, that a Professor Mustarde Chair of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery had been established at the College of Medical Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School in honour of the brain behind the project.

Professor Kwapong commended Professor Mustarde and his team for their initiative and foresight and added that the vision and humanitarian work undertaken by the pioneers would forever be cherished by the people of Ghana and the sub-region.

Professor E.D. Yeboah urged the present Director of the Project to maintain and strengthen its links with its founder and also promote new links with overseas institutions in pursuance of its noble objectives.

Professor Mustarde thanked all who in diverse ways had contributed to the establishment of the project and pledged his continuous commitment to the sustenance and growth of the project.

The International Reconstructive Plastic Surgery (Ghana) Project owes its existence to a visit undertaken in January 1992 by a team of surgeons and physicians led by Prof. Mustarde, who performed plastic surgery operations in the country under the auspices of the Rotary International.

Overwhelmed by the large number of patients who patronised the services of the visiting team and the absence of plastic surgeons in the country, the team decided to work towards the development of a project with the aim of eventually providing Ghana with its own units.

Thus in January 1993, a UK plastic surgeon, Dr Chris Bainbridge set up the plastic surgery unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

By July 1993, a succession of volunteer surgeons from various countries principally UK visited Ghana and built a working plastic unit. Subsequently, another unit was established at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Since its establishment, the centres have treated almost 30,000 patients in Ghana.